IN MY OPINION

A crystal-ball look at Panthers' picks

Offensive and defensive linemen, running back at top of wish list

CHARLES CHANDLER

AP

Florida's Derrick Harvey (91) stops LSU running back Keiland Williams (5) during the first half of a football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. LSU's Quinn Johnson (45) tires to block. Williams was thrown for a loss on the play. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A crystal-ball look at Panthers' picks Offensive and defensive linemen, running back at top of wish list

ROUND 1 (13th pick): Derrick Harvey DE, Florida

Julius Peppers will be a happy man if Harvey is the pick. The Panthers don't have a clear starter to play the right defensive end position opposite Peppers. Harvey is an ideal choice whose recent campus workout wowed coach John Fox and representatives from other NFL teams. He's 6-5, 271, ran the 40 in 4.84 seconds, had 20 ½ sacks the past two seasons and has an 82-inch wingspan.

ROUND 2 (43) Ray Rice RB, Rutgers

This is an ideal place for the Panthers to get a running back to share time with DeAngelo Williams. Rice is small (5-9, 200) but is one of the strongest, toughest backs in the draft. He's been compared to Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew, ex-Cowboy Emmitt Smith and former Giants player Joe Morris. He rushed for 3,806 yards and 44 touchdowns the past two seasons. He's a tough inside runner with the speed (4.42) to get outside. Other backs who fit Carolina's offensive style are Central Florida's Kevin Smith, Tulane's Matt Forte and Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice.

ROUND 3a (67) Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame

Carolina must get some quality depth behind starting defensive tackles Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis. Assuming the Panthers miss out on Southern Cal super prospect Sedrick Ellis in the first round, they'd do well to get a tackle in the second or third round. Laws gives excellent effort and is stout against the run, but they may have to trade up to get him. Other possibilities include Auburn's Pat Sims, Maryland's Dre' Moore (former Independence High), and Texas A&M's Joseph "Red" Bryant.

ROUND 3b (74) DaJuan Morgan S, N.C. State

The Panthers wanted to pick a safety last year, but the draft didn't fall in place for that to happen. Carolina still needs a free safety. Morgan would compete with another ex-Wolfpack player, free agent signee Terrence Holt. Morgan (6-0, 205, 4.5 40) is the No. 2-rated free safety in the draft. Another player to watch at the position is UTEP speedster Quntin Demps (4.39 40). Even better here than a safety is Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown, but he'll probably go in Round 2.

ROUND 4 (109) Kevin O'Connell QB, San Diego State

It would be nice to get an offensive tackle here, but it would be reaching based on the rankings on most scouting boards. Instead, the Panthers can add insurance at quarterback behind Jake Delhomme. O'Connell is one of the draft's most intriguing QB prospects. He's 6-5, 225 and has outstanding athleticism, running the 40 in 4.61, excellent for a quarterback. He has a strong arm, passing for more than 3,000 yards last season. He was the team captain all four years in college. Other quarterbacks the Panthers could consider include USC's John David Booty, Tennessee's Eric Ainge, Kentucky's Andre Woodson, LSU's Matt Flynn and San Diego's Josh Johnson.

ROUND 5 (141) Owen Schmitt FB, West Virginia

Panthers FB Brad Hoover isn't getting any younger and the team needs to look for his eventual replacement. Schmitt is the top-rated pure fullback in the draft. He's an excellent lead blocker. He also enjoys getting the tough carries in short-yardage situations and was a weight-room legend in college. Should add significantly to any team's toughness.

ROUND 6 (181) Barry Richardson OT, Clemson

The Panthers have been expected to prioritize getting a tackle early in the draft, but the problem the position is top-heavy -- excellent players in Round 1, a few in the second, but then it's thin. Richardson (6-7, 320) has a good upside, though. He sometimes looks disinterested, but made first-team All-ACC last season. Got more points in the balloting (120) than projected first-rounders Branden Albert of Virginia (105) and Gosder Cherilus of Boston College (64).

ROUND 7a (221) Justin Tryon CB, Arizona State

Remember Ricky Manning Jr., the former Panthers cornerback who was small but strong and did an excellent job as a nickel back? Tryon is of similar size (5-9, 190) and is a physical, aggressive player. Has good speed (4.42 40) and has returned kicks.

ROUND 7b (241) Tim Hightower RB, Richmond

A real sleeper pick who had a monster senior season for the Spiders, rushing for 1,924 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He's a powerful downhill runner whose size (6-0, 226) is a nice fit in the Carolina offense.

ROUND 7c (250) Joe Jon Finley TE, Oklahoma

Good size (6-6, 254), giving the quarterback a big target. Has good hands and a knack for catching the ball in traffic. Plays faster than he timed in the 40 (4.89) and is an aggressive blocker. IN MY OPINION Call this a mega-mock draft -- a forecast of how the Carolina Panthers will spend their 10 picks in the NFL draft today and Sunday.

This is based on the selections the Panthers have going into the draft and doesn't predict any trades that could occur when they're on the clock: IN MY OPINION Charles

Chandler